Kurt Shintaku's Blog

Yesterday something weird happened.  I pulled out my OEM Samsung Series 9 DC power adapter from my laptop bag (the adapter that came with the laptop initially) and plugged it in… only to discover that it didn’t ‘stick’ firmly into the laptop’s power port.  The power adapter’s DC jack that I normally plug into the laptop’s power port loosely hung in there and while it did in fact start to charge the laptop, it easily fell out of the port when anything touched the power cable.  I initially used electrical tape to hold the jack into the power port, if you can believe that.

This is a problem if you’re, say, sitting on a couch with your laptop and need to have it plugged in.  Having the power adapter fall out of the port easily is not cool because you kinda depend on the port to charge your device while you’re working on it.

I examined the Samsung Series 9’s power port and I found that with a magnifying glass and a mag light, sure enough, a metal connector that normally holds the power adapter jack in place in the laptop appeared to not do it’s job any more. 

Honestly, I have no idea how to fix this.

WHY ARE YOU WRITING ABOUT THIS?
Good news!  I found a workaround.  It’s kinda lousy but I think it’s worth writing about in case others run into this. 

I found a 3rd party power adapter for the Samsung Series 9 that STILL WORKS when the laptop’s power port is “loosened”.  It’s a backup power adapter that I bought off of eBay for $19 and I referred to it in a previous post about the Samsung Series 9 accessories available on the Internet.

• Additional Accessories for the Samsung Series 9
  https://kurtsh.com/2011/08/01/info-additional-accessories-for-the-samsung-series-9/

Besides the fact that it holds in place, even when my original OEM power adapter doesn’t, it’s good to have a backup power adapter in the event I lose the original.

I guess, given that it’s Thanksgiving, that I should be thankful that I have a power adapter that still connects into my laptop so that I can post this blog entry while travelling… but it is something of a bummer being that I really liked the old power adapter’s portability.

Oh well.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

So Verizon announced a bunch of new Customer Privacy Settings.  It’s been covered on Engadget and other sites however how to actually OPT OUT of these new tracking mechanisms and privacy violating rules aren’t covered very well any where.

If you’re a Verizon Wireless customer, sign in to your account at http://www.vzw.com then go to:  https://wbillpay.verizonwireless.com/
vzw/secure/setPrivacy.action.

It should take you to a page with a bunch of options as depicted in the snapshot above and in the details below. 

TURN OFF THE SETTINGS YOU DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH.

Your privacy is an important priority at Verizon Wireless. Our Privacy Policy informs you about information we collect and how we use it. Read our Privacy Policy.

Location Based Services ("LBS") Privacy Settings

A location service is any service that provides access to location information, such as maps of places of interest and turn-by-turn directions, on your handset. These services may require Verizon Wireless to access the location of your handset. For location services you use that are supported by Verizon Wireless, you can Manage Location Privacy settings.

Customer Proprietary Network Information Settings

As a provider of certain telecommunications services, Verizon Wireless collects certain information that is made available to us solely by virtue of our relationship with you, such as quantity, technical configuration, type, destination, location and amount of use of the telecommunications services you purchase. This information and related billing information is known as Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI). The Federal Communications Commission and other regulators require the Verizon Companies to protect your CPNI.
Verizon Wireless shares information among our affiliates and parent companies (including Vodafone) and their subsidiaries unless you advise us not to. Sharing this information allows us to provide you with the latest information about our products and services and to offer you our latest promotions.

Business & Marketing Reports

Verizon Wireless may use mobile usage information and consumer Information for certain business and marketing reports. Mobile usage information includes the addresses or information in URLs (such as search terms) of websites you visit when you use our wireless service, the location of your device ("Location Information"), and your use of applications and features. Consumer information includes information about your use of Verizon products and services (such as data and calling features,device type, and amount of use) as well as demographic and interest categories provided to us by other companies (such as gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner, or pet owner). We will combine this information in a manner that does not personally identify you. We will use this information to prepare business and marketing reports that we may use ourselves or share with others. We may also share Location Information with other companies in a way that does not personally identify you. We will allow these companies to produce limited business and marketing reports. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about these reports.
You have a choice about whether we use your information for these reports.

Relevant Mobile Advertising

When you use your wireless device, you often see advertising on websites and apps. Using the postal address we have for you and certain consumer information such as your device type, language preference and demographic and interest categories provided to us by other companies (such as gender, age range, sports fan, frequent diner, or pet owner), we will determine whether you fit within an audience category that an advertiser is trying to reach. This means ads you see may be more relevant to you. We will not share any information that identifies you personally. See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information about relevant mobile advertising.
You have a choice about whether we use this information for relevant mobile advertising. Please note that you will receive mobile ads whether you participate or not, but under the program, ads may be more relevant to you.

As mentioned at:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/
msstore/html/pbPage.BlackFriday

Only the “Black Friday weekend only PC”, the Samsung RC512, selling for $499.00 will be combinable with the Threshold Promotion.  All other offers may not be combined with other offers.

• Samsung RC512 for $499
  (This is $300 off for those of you checking)
• 3 month Xbox Live Gold Subscription for $12.99
  (Valid through 11/28/11 or while supplies last. Limit 3 per customer)
  
• Games with $20 off:
• Dance Central
• Dance Central 2
• Kinect Sports
• Kinect Sports Season 2
• Gears of War 3 (Regular, Limited, and XLCE)
• Forza 4
  (Valid for select Microsoft game titles. No cash value. May not be combined with other offers or applied to prior purchases. Not valid for pre-orders and limited to stock on hand. Discount applies before taxes, shipping, or other fees. Limite 3 games per person. Expires 11/28/11.)
• Free Windows Phone with 2 yr Service Agreement
  (Limited to eligible products through 11/28/11 and while supplies last. Requires 2-yr voice & data service contract and new activation. Not valid on previous orders and cannot be redeemed for cash. Limit 3 per customer, US Residents only)
• Kinect Sensor for $99 (Limit 3 per customer)
  (Valid through 11/28/11 or while supplies last. Limit 3 per customer)
• Instant savings on 4GB and 250GB Xbox consoles and Xbox 4GB and 250GB console with Kinect
• Xbox 360 4GB Console – $149.99 ($50 off)
• Xbox 360 250GB console – $199.99 ($100 off)
• Xbox 360 4GB console with Kinect ($199.99 ($100 off)
• Xbox 360 250GB console with Kinect 250GB – $299.99 ($100 off)
  (Limited time offer valid on select products and while supplies last. May not be combined with other offers or applied to prior purchases. No cash value. Discount applies before taxes, shipping or other fees. Limit 3 per person. Expires 11/28/11)
• 25% off all PC and Mobile Accessories
  (Valid for select PC and Mobile Accessories. May not be combined with other offers or applied to prior purchases. Limited to stock on hand. Discount applies before taxes, shipping or other fees. Expires 11/28/11. Select items will discount by 15%.)
• Buy a PC, get a $100 gift card.
  (Limited time offer valid on eligible products 12:00AM thru 6:00AM on 11/25/11 or while supplies last. Exclused netbooks, Kindles and pre-orders. Cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or combined with any other offer or promotion. Gift card may only be used for a future purchase at Microsoft Store retail locations. Limit 2 per person. Standard gift card terms and conditions apply. See a store associate for details.)
• Save $200 on the Ultimate Gaming Package:
  Purchase a 250GB Xbox Console, Xbox LIVE 3 month card, Xbox LIVE 1600 point card, Onza Tournament Controller, SanDisk 8GB Xbox USB, Kontrol Freek Joystick Extenders, and a game for an instant $200 savings.
  (Limited time offer 11/25/11 through 11/28/11 or while supplies last. Only valid with purchase of all eligible products. Online and in-store terms may differ. Offer not valid on previous orders, cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other offer or promotion. Discount applies before taxes, shipping, and other charges. Limit 3 per person.)

Go to http://www.2011blackfridayads.com/bestbuy/#pagelinks and click on Page 4. (or page 17 in the print ad) 

You’ll see two deals:

• Xbox 360 250GB Console Bundle ($199)
  (Comes with the 250GB hard drive, 3 months of Xbox Live , and 2 games)

• Kinect Sensor for Xbox 360 with 3 games ($99)

What is VideoSurf?
VideoSurf is video search engine that has created a better way for people to search, discover, and watch online videos. Using computer vision VideoSurf has taught computers to “see” inside videos to let users find and watch videos that they really want to see. Whether you’re looking to watch funny videos or scary videos, movie clips or TV full episodes, the hottest new music videos or breaking news clips, VideoSurf’s video search engine is the place to go to find the videos you’ll love. Spend less time searching and more time being entertained!

Microsoft’s Press Release:

REDMOND, Wash., and SAN MATEO, Calif. — Nov. 22, 2011 — Microsoft Corp. has announced the acquisition of California-based video discovery technology company VideoSurf Inc.

Founded in 2006, VideoSurf offers a back-end computer vision technology that “sees” frames inside videos to make discovering content fast, easy and accurate. Over time, Microsoft will integrate this technology across its entertainment platform to augment the Xbox 360 ecosystem and evolve search and discovery of entertainment content on Xbox LIVE.

“VideoSurf’s content analytics technology will enhance the search and discovery of entertainment content across our platform,” said Alex Garden, director of Xbox LIVE for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “This holiday we will launch voice search across our entertainment partners on Xbox LIVE. Over time, as we integrate VideoSurf’s technology into our system, we are excited about the potential to have content tagged in real time to increase the speed and relevance of the search results.”

“Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Division is at the leading edge of connected entertainment,” said Lior Delgo, CEO and co-founder of VideoSurf. “We are incredibly excited to be working together on our mutual passion for creating amazing consumer experiences and reinventing how consumers search, discover and enjoy content on their televisions.”

In the coming months, Microsoft will bring nearly 40 world-leading TV and entertainment providers to Xbox LIVE, including Bravo, Comcast, HBO GO, Verizon FiOS and Syfy in the U.S.; BBC in the U.K.; Telefónica in Spain; Rogers On Demand in Canada; Televisa in Mexico; ZDF in Germany; and Mediaset in Italy. This acquisition will also make it easier for world-class video partners to take full advantage of advanced features such as voice search enabled by Kinect for Xbox 360. With Kinect, users will be able to easily search and discover content across multiple entertainment providers within Xbox LIVE and then interact with and enjoy content in extraordinary ways using voice search powered by Bing on the Xbox 360.

• Microsoft Acquires Video Content Discovery Company VideoSurf
  http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/nov11/11-22XboxNovemberPR.mspx

The announcement details have come out for the greatest database conference… ever!

PASS Summit is the world’s largest and most intensive technical training conference for Microsoft SQL Server and BI professionals. But more than that, it’s your conference – planned and presented by the SQL Server community for the SQL Server community. Join us and get the top-notch training, technical tips and tricks, and networking and connections you need to take your SQL Server skills to the next level.

Washington State Convention & Trade Center
November 6-9, 2012
Seattle, WA

COST:

• Full Summit for $1,095 (Early-Bird Rate Until Jan. 31, 2012)
• Group rate for 5 or more attendees – only $995 each until Mar. 31, 2012

AGENDA:

• 170+ technical sessions
• 2 full days of deep-dive pre-cons
• DBA, Dev, BI, SQL Azure & Professional Development tracks
• Hands-on Labs
• SQL Server Clinic with Microsoft CSS & SQLCAT
• Expert Pods
• Can’t miss keynotes

EVENT DETAILS:
http://www.sqlpass.org/summit/2012/default.aspx

REGISTRATION:
https://www.regonline.com/register/checkin.aspx?MethodId=0&eventsessionId=c09266791bfa4138b026b094a3a7eb89&eventID=1018613

Looks like we’ve announced TechEd North America 2012.  It’s going to be in Orlando next year from June 11-14.

Join Us for TechEd North America 2012

Celebrate 20 years of Microsoft TechEd North America! TechEd is Microsoft’s premier technology conference for IT professionals and developers, offering the most comprehensive technical education across Microsoft’s current and soon-to-be-released suite of products, solutions, tools, and services. Our four day event in Orlando, Florida offers hands-on learning, deep product exploration and countless opportunities to connect with a community of industry and Microsoft experts.

There are many reasons why you can’t miss TechEd 2012. If you are developing, deploying, managing, securing and mobilizing Microsoft solutions, TechEd is your best opportunity to focus on the key technology and business issues that will help you solve today’s real-world IT challenges and prepare you for tomorrow’s innovations.

COST:
Super Early Bird Savings: US $1,895
(Save $300 off the regular $2195 price if you register by December 31, 2011)

LOCATION:
Orlando, Fl

DATES:
June 11-14, 2012

DETAILS:
Event details are available at:
http://northamerica.msteched.com/

REGISTRATION:
http://northamerica.msteched.com/registration

Looks like we’ve made all the SharePoint Conference 2011 content and videos available online for $199, in case you didn’t make it.

Good news! Even though you missed Microsoft SharePoint Conference 2011 in person, you can still attend the conference virtually and on-demand through MySPC.

By purchasing exclusive access to MySPC, you get unlimited access to:

• Over 200 recorded session videos
• Over 200 Microsoft PowerPoint slide decks
• Hands-On Lab Manuals from over 50 labs.

This content will be available until April 30, 2012.

Purchase & connect to the SPC2011 content here:
https://dynamicevents.emeetingsonline.com/emeetings/websitev2.asp?mmnno=384&pagename=SITE140650&dd_am_amcmsc48=
d951861431b7a211fce8a13da37732ec&member_lookup=URL

It’s been announced!

SharePoint Conference 2012 is making its debut in Las Vegas!  Given past history, it’s probably either in the Venetian or Mandalay Bay.  They didn’t say which but that’s my bet.

DATE:
Nov 12-15, 2012

REGISTRATION:
Sign up for the notification newsletter for when more details are available at:
http://www.mssharepointconference.com/Pages/default.aspx

Check this out:

Best Buy has an early Black Friday deal on right now for Silver Best Buy members:  Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect and $100 Gift Card Package – $299.

So basically, the deal is the same in some sense as the Walmart deal but instead of a discount, you get a $100 gift card.  Which is probably okay with you too.

• DEAL: Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect and $100 Gift Card Package – $299
  http://bit.ly/tEp0sk